Essays Books

Book SynopsisLeon Roth (1896–1963) was the first Professor of Philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He saw it as his purpose to encourage his students to think, and to think about their Judaism. Typical of his approach is the question with which this selection of essays opens: in what sense, asks Roth, can we talk about Jewish philosophy, and what can we expect to find if we look for it? Defining philosophy as ‘the search, through thought, for the permanent’, Roth argues that in order to say whether there is a truly Jewish philosophy one has to ‘rethink fundamentals’ those elements in our lives, in history, in nature which appear to be not incidental and trivial but basic. The twelve elegantly written essays published here represent a selection of Roth’s explorations of various aspects of his theme. The title essay ends with the contention that Judaism must be seen as the classic expression of monotheism; as the antithesis of myth; and as the essence of ethics and morality. The emphasis that Roth placed on ethics as the essence of Judaism was not merely theoretical: in 1951 he resigned from the Hebrew University and left Israel in response to what he perceived as the betrayal of Jewish ethics by the rulers of the newly established State of Israel. Edward Ullendorff's Foreword, based on long years of personal acquaintance, is an appreciation of Roth’s singular personality, grace, and moral stature, and of his devotion to an interpretation of Judaism that is rational and humane. A complete bibliography of Roth's writings, compiled by Raphael Loewe, rounds out the picture of the man and his achievements.Trade Review'I conclude by recommending Roth's book highly. Roth's erudition and deep knowledge of philosophy and Judaism are manifested throughout this very worthwhile book.'- William E. Kaufman, Conservative Judaism‘Roth’s lucid treatment demands consideration by students in the history of Judaism and the philosophy of religion.’- Gregory Kaplan, Religious Studies Review ‘The first thing one notices in picking up Is there a Jewish Philosophy? is the deep humanity of the author . . . I should confess that I never met Roth and so cannot testify to his personal charm or charisma. Suffice it to say that after reading [this book] I very much wish I had.’- Kenneth Seeskin, Shofar‘Roth was a clear and lively writer with an analytic grasp of what Judaism is all about. For a taste of vintage Roth, this collection is highly recommended, and not only to the “new generation”.’- Shubert Spero, Studies in Contemporary Jewry‘This new collection of writings and lectures reveals him as a profound logical and liberal Jewish thinker.’- Michael Hilton, World Faiths EncounterTable of ContentsForeword by Edward Ullendorff Note by Raphael Loewe Is there a Jewish Philosophy? Imitatio Deo and the Idea of Holiness Jewish Thought as a Factor in Civilization The Significance of Biblical Prophecy for Our Time Some Reflections on the Interpretation of Scripture Baruch Spinoza: His Religious Importance for the Jew of Today Judaism: The Elements Authority, Religion, and Law Moralization and Demoralization in Jewish Ethics Mysticism, Thick and Thin Back To, Forward From, Ahad Ha’am? Maimonides Bibliography of the Writings of Leon Roth Index

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Book SynopsisThis new volume in Genji studies comprises a collection of six individual essays by leading international scholars addressing the Tale of Genji Scrolls and the Tale of Genji texts in the context of new critical theory relating to cultural studies, narrative painting, narratology, comparative literature and a global view of medieval romance. Uniquely, it also links new critical theory with multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary interests. Increasingly, scholarly research views ‘reading’ The Tale of Genji Scrolls as an inseparable part of ‘reading’ the Tale of Genji itself. Hence this book, which is subdivided into three sections: Reading the Genji Scrolls; Reading the Genji Texts; Reading the Genji Romance. The contributors are Yukio Lippit (Harvard), Sano Midori (Gakushuin), Richard Okada (Princeton), Murakami Fuminobu (Hong Kong), Jeremy Tambling (Manchester) and Richard Stanley-Baker (formerly Hong Kong)Table of ContentsPreface; A Note to the Reader; Introduction; PART I: Reading the Genji Scrolls; 1 Scripting the Moribund: The Genji Scrolls' Aesthetics of Decomposition; 2 The Narration of Tales, The Narration of Paintings; PART II: Reading the Genji Texts; 3 Displacements of Conquest, or Exile: The Tale of Genji, and Post-Cold War Learning; 4 Person, Honorifics and Tense in the Tale of Genji; PART III: Reading the Genji Romance; 5 'Kiritsubo': Genji, Spacing and Naming; 6 Genji and the Gardens of Medieval Romance; Appendix: A Chapter List of The Tale of Genji, with Lists of Attributed Teams; Bibliography of Japanese Sources; Index

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Book SynopsisIn Not to Read, Alejandro Zambra outlines his own particular theory of reading that also offers a kind of blurry self-portrait, or literary autobiography. Whether writing about Natalia Ginzburg, typewriters and computers, Paul Léautaud, or how to be silent in German, his essays function as a laboratory for his novels, a testing ground for ideas, readings and style. Not to Read also presents an alternative pantheon of Latin American literature – Zambra would rather talk about Nicanor Parra than Pablo Neruda, Mario Levrero than Gabriel García Márquez. His voice is that of a trusted friend telling you about a book or an author he’s excited about, how he reads, and why he writes. A standard-bearer of his generation in Chile, with Not to Read Alejandro Zambra confirms he is one of the most engaging writers of our time.Trade Review‘When I read Zambra I feel like someone’s shooting fireworks inside my head. His prose is as compact as a grain of gunpowder, but its allusions and ramifications branch out and illuminate even the most remote corners of our minds.’ — Valeria Luiselli, author of The Story of My Teeth ‘There is no writer like Alejandro Zambra, no one as bold, as subtle, as funny.’ — Daniel Alarcón, author of At Night We Walk In Circles‘Falling in love with Zambra’s literature is a fascinating road to travel. Imaginative and original, he is a master of short forms; I adore his devastating audacity.’ — Enrique Vila-Matas, author of The Illogic of Kassel

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Book SynopsisPURPLE PROSE introduces fifteen new works of non-fiction by Australian women writers, each responding to the colour purple. In their hands, purple takes on many meanings. From a story about King Georges coronation gown to pigeon fanciers and the Dockers Purple Haze, this is a book for women readers everywhere. PURPLE PROSE features new works by Amanda Curtin, Lily Chan, Hanifa Deen, Sarah Drummond, Lucy Dougan, Tracy Farr, Deborah Hunn, Natasha Lester, Toni Jordan, Anne Manne, Rosemary Stevens, Annamaria Weldon and Jacqueline Wright.

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Book SynopsisA son finds his dying father's book manuscript, written long in the past about his childhood life growing up in Great Neck, New York during World War II. The son reads the series of short stories out loud to his father on his death bed to give him comfort in his final days, subtly reminding him that he will soon be reunited with his parents and childhood friends.

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Book SynopsisHome—the place where we were born, where we learned our first lessons, where family was defined. The very notion evokes powerful feelings, feelings as individual as our fingerprints, as enduring as the universe and as inescapable as gravity. In this candid, evocative collection of essays, a diverse group of acclaimed authors reflects on the diverse homes, neighborhoods, and experiences that helped shape them—using Google Earth software to revisit the location in the process. Moving and life-affirming, this poignant anthology gives fresh insight into the concept of Home. This anthology includes 19 essays by an array of diverse award-winning authors, including: • Tim Johnston, author of Descent and winner of the O. Henry Prize, the New Letters Award for Writers, and the Gival Press Short Story Award • Laura Miller, culture columnist at Slate and co-founder of Salon.com • Porochista Khakpour, author of The Last Illusion and recipient of the 2012 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Literature Fellowship in Creative Writing (Prose) • Lee Upton, author of The Tao of Humiliation, named one of “Best Books of 2014” by Kirkus Reviews • Pamela Erens, author of the critically acclaimed novel The Virgins • Jeffery Renard Allen, author of Song of the Shank and winner of the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence and the Whiting Writer's AwardTrade Review"Many have searched their childhood home ­address using Google Earth. You will, too, after reading this exceptional collection of 19 essays by writers who located the satellite images of their dwellings, found anywhere from Iowa to Liberia. Editor Jarrett introduces the anthology as a 'hodgepodge of thoughts, sensations, and emotions an image brings.' A thread of sadness runs through the accounts as memories emerge of loud arguments, disappearing fathers, family violence, and whispers about not enough money. The charm of each piece is how the author balances that raw stress with recollections of the joys of youth. Antonya Nelson re­visits her mazelike childhood home with her siblings, who, after a few bottles of wine, decide to venture into their favorite nooks and crannies. Roof climbing is a particular passion recalled by Ru Freeman and Roy Kesey. What matters today is not the feat, but the dreams realized up on the roof. Porochista Khakpour, born in Tehran and raised in Los ­Angles, recalls “the dingbats,” the two-story ­apartment complexes with cheap rents and fancy names. VERDICT: Slim and succinct, this exquisite compilation shows how the universal nature of childhood experiences trump both cultural and geographical differences. —Library Journal, starred review Featured as an Elle magazine's "Trust Us" book, May 2016 "While each essay is a worthy and thought-provoking piece of craft, the true achievement is in the sum of these parts, a chorus of diverse experiences that work together to define 'home' in all of its possibilities.” —Shelf Awareness "The essays strike a variety of tones, including curiosity, ambivalence, thoughtfulness, and earnestness. Some writers emphasize the conceit of looking at their old homes from the vantage point of a satellite. Ru Freeman and Jen Michalski, in their pieces, discuss what can be seen and what is missing in the pictures, as well as what is impossible to capture. Jeffery Renard Allen and Pamela Erens return to Chicago’s North Side and South Side, respectively, to capture different aspects of the city. Other writers take readers to California, Canada, New York, and Sri Lanka. Some reexamine their families, while others consider the fragility of memory. All of the essays show, in their own ways, how homes make us and how we attempt to make homes for ourselves, at least in memory. Some readers may well be inspired to take similar journeys into the past." —Publishers Weekly "Jarrett has compiled a powerful and must-read collection of meditations on the meaning of home. Each essay in this diverse collection—with writings from rural America to war-torn Sri Lanka—transports the reader on a fresh and riveting journey into the hauntings and heartbreak of childhood. As a whole these varied voices come together in a kind of symphony, a harmonious reminder that individual stories illuminate the connection we all have to one another. Ultimately, these voices together transform this book into its own kind of shelter." —Jennifer Percy, author of Demon Camp, a New York Times Notable Book “The House That Made Me is a revelatory investigation of home, that most beloved and fraught word—how home wields the power to shape us, undo us, remake us. How we carry it, how we let it go. The table of contents for The House That Made Me includes some of the finest writers working today, and the worlds that exist inside this tremendous anthology suggest contemporary literature has never been so vital.” —Laura van den Berg, author of Find Me Past Praise for . . . Grant Jarrett's On Ways of Leaving “Ruthlessly brilliant writing brings grace to a story smoldering in pain.” —Kirkus Reviews “... an outstanding and devastating new novel ...” —Independent Publisher Alice Eve Cohen's On The Year My Mother Came Back “I love, love, love this book. It’s so rich, so real and so moving … astonishingly wonderful—I was enthralled … You're a brilliant writer.” —Caroline Leavitt, book critic for Boston Globe and People, and New York Times best-selling author of Pictures of You “Fiercely brave and unflinchingly honest.” —The Brooklyn Rail Kris Radish “Radish's prose is a joy—energetic, attitudinal, often hilarious and perfectly suited to the anecdotal form.” —Kirkus “Kris Radish creates characters that seek and the celebrate the discovery of...women's innate power.” —The Denver Post Lee Upton's On The Tao of Humiliation: Stories, named one of the “best books of 2014” by Kirkus Reviews “Masterful stories by a writer of great lyrical gifts. Upton focuses on personal relationships, especially the immediacy and estrangement that emerge from the intensity of family life … Upton specializes in ending her stories with epiphanies that can be searing in their poignancy. These 17 tales explore personal and familial relationships with both pathos and humor—and all are well worth reading.” —Kirkus Starred Review

 “Poet, essayist, and fiction writer Upton’s stories are playful, full of clever allusions that are deftly presented … Upton’s story openings tend to be vivid; they’re great hooks … This is a smart and highly entertaining book.” —Publishers Weekly Starred Review

 Pamela Erens “Everyone who has the good fortune to pick up one of Erens' (two) novels becomes a fan. Whether writing about teenagers at boarding school (The Virgins) or a loner at the end of his tether (The Understory), Erens has a gift for making you want to spend time in her characters' company. Then you want to scout her other fans to discuss your good fortune of discovering her talents.” —Reader’s Digest “23 Contemporary Writers You Should Have Read By Now”(2014) Roy Kesey “Kesey excels at evoking the geography of the country.” —Jonathan Barnes, Literary Review (London) “A near-direct descendant of Samuel Beckett.” —Jonathan Messinger, Time Out Chicago Ru Freeman's On Sal Mal Lane, and Extraordinary Rendition: (American) Writers on Palestine “Freeman never strays far from the neighborhood’s youngest inhabitants. They are wondrous to behold, with their intelligence, imagination and innocence. I don’t know that I’ve seen children more opulently depicted in fiction since Dickens.” —Christina Garcia for the New York Times Book Review “Ru Freeman has made a book unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s a great contribution to not only to the conversation about Palestine, but to the larger one about peace and justice.” —Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild Tim Johnston's Descent “Outstanding . . . The days when you had to choose between a great story and a great piece of writing? Gone.” —Esquire “The story [Descent] unfolds brilliantly, always surprisingly . . .The magic of his prose equals the horror of Johnston’s story; each somehow enhances the other . . . Read this astonishing novel.” —The Washington Post

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